"Peace Be With You"

Pentecost Sunday Year A - 31st May 2020

Gospel John 20: 19–23

In the evening of the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, ‘Peace be with you’, and showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and he said to them again,
‘Peace be with you.
As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.’

After saying this he breathed on them and said:
‘Receive the Holy Spirit.
For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven;
for those whose sins you retain, they are retained.’

Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach

As I settle into my place of prayer, I take time to notice how I am feeling, both mentally and physically. I acknowledge that God is present with me.

When I am ready, I slowly read and re-read the Gospel. I stay with any word or phrase that touches me.

I may sense the fear and loneliness of the disciples locked in the house. Perhaps this resonates with recent weeks when I may have had to self-isolate, or felt afraid of going out due to the ongoing pandemic.

If it helps, I may like to place myself in the scene...

How do I feel as I see Jesus come into the room and I hear him say to me, ‘Peace be with you’?
I sense his closeness as he breathes the gift of the Holy Spirit into my heart.

What difference does his presence make? Maybe I have a sense of hope ... or joy ... or comfort? How might I like to respond?

Hearing Jesus speak about forgiveness may bring to mind a time when I have forgiven someone, or someone has forgiven me. How do I feel now? Maybe there are areas in my own life where I haven’t felt at peace, whether now or in the past?

Whatever is stirring within my heart, I talk to Jesus about it now.

I listen to whatever he is saying to me, drawing comfort from his presence.
I close my prayer slowly, asking for any grace that I feel I myself or others may need at this difficult time. Our Father ...